Convertible booth



Jan. 17, 1939.

L. W. RENTFROW, SR

CONVERTIBLE BOOTH 28, 195e s sneets-shet 1 Filed Deo.

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CONVERTIBLE BOOTH Filed Dec. `28, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 SWK \i illnl i!!mlf,llili #im 'l mwwkww INV u Iii Hwll.-

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CONVERTIBLE BOOTH Filed Deo. 28, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Lewis, W. Qenfrow 5I'.

@ @WQ/w+ @im Patented Jan. 17, 1939 UNITED STATES iATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

My invention relates to booths and has for an object to provide a convertible booth.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a booth which may be collapsed.

A. still further object of the invention resides in constructing the booth with partitions and in supporting the partitions so that the same may be moved from jutting position to positions overlying the Wall or the support from which they lssue.

An object of the invention resides in constructing the booth with seats or settees supported by the partitions and adapted to be moved from parallel positions to aligning positions as the partitions are moved from jutting positions to positions overlying the support.

A feature of the invention resides in providing in the booth a table hingedly connected to the support and adapted to be swung into a position overlying the support when not desired for use.

An object of the invention resides in arranging the partitions in spaced relation with respect to the support when in collapsed position and in overlying position with respect to the tables.

A still further object of the invention resides in constructing the parts so that any number of booths may be erected.

An object of the invention resides in constructing the partitions so that when the parts of the booths are in operative position, the partitions of adjacent booths are arranged back to back.

A feature of the invention resides in providing guideways on the support and guides on the partitions for slidably and hingedly guiding the partitions for movement from jutting to aligning positions.

An object of the invention resides in hingedly connecting together the outer ends of the partition of adjoining booths.

Another object of the invention resides in pro- Aw'ding a booth in which the tables and seats are clear of the floor so as to facilitate cleaning of the floor beneath the tables and seats.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan sectional view of a serles of booths illustrating an embodiment of my invention, and taken on line I-I of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the booths viewed from the open ends thereof.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the booths collapsed.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a plan View showing the booths partly collapsed.

In restaurants, beer parlors and similar public eating places where booths are used, it frequently becomes desirable to eliminate the booths when the floor is to be used for dancing or for other purposes. In such cases it is highly desirable to maintain the desired seating capacity without wasting the space ordinarily occupied by the booth. The present invention provides a construction whereby the booth may be collapsed and the seats thereof which are normally parallel to one another arranged in alignment along the wall from which the booths issue.

In the drawings, I have shown a number of booths Ill, II and I2 which are disclosed as issuing outwardly from a wall I3 forming part of a building in which the booths are installed. The construction oi this Wall forming no feature of the invention, has not been disclosed in detail in this application, though it can readily be comprehended that the invention may be applied to any wall of the building. The entire booth structure is carried by the wall I3 and is elevated above the floor I4 as will be hereinafter more fully described to permit of the cleaning of the iioor. Wall I3 hence forms the sole support for the entire booth including the tables and seats. As will become evident any number of booths may be employed. The invention is also adaptable to a wall terminating in a cross wall such as indicated at I5 and in such case the booth I0 becomes an end booth having but a single seat and a smaller table.

The invention proper consists of a back I6 constructed of sheet metal which may be formed of a number of panels I 1, I8 and I9, there being one such panel for each booth. All of these panels are constructed with end sections 2| and 22 which are raised and spaced from the surface of the wall I3 and with intermediate sections 23 which are depressed relative to the sections 2I and 22 forming recesses 24 therebetween. The sections 23 lie flush against the wall I3. The sections 2I and 22 have upper and lower inwardly turned portions 25 and 26 which terminate in anges 2l and 28 arranged in coplanar relation with respect to the sections 23. 'I'he panel I'I is constructed similar to the panels I8 and I 9 excepting that the section 22 thereof is missing and the section 23 may be made somewhat narrower to accommodate a smaller table. The various panels il, I8 and I9 of the back I6 are attached to the wall i3 by means of bolts, lag screws or other fastening means, such as indicated at IE5 in the drawings. The entire booth structure is supported from the back i6 which is therefore rigidly and firmly attached to the wall in the manner specified. The meeting edges of the panels Il, i8 and i9 need not be joined together since the same are at all times covered by the other parts of the booth so that the joints between the same are not visible. This permits of easily and quickly removing booths or adding booths to those already present.

Secured to the upper and lower portions of the panels El?, i8 and iQ etc. of the back i6 are rails 26 and S27 which serve as guideways for supporting and guiding the partitions of the invention for movement. These rails are preferably constructed of metal, being constructed in the nature of a channel or U-shaped in cross section and provided with grooves 28 extending longitudinally thereof. These rails are also constructed in sections, each section being of the length of the particular panel with which it is associated and being rigidly secured thereto. The various rails H26 and i2? are also not secured together at their ends to facilitate the removal of or addition of booths to those already installed. Inasrnuch as all of the booths are identical in construction, only the portions of the booth il will be described in detail and the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the corresponding parts of the other booths.

Issuing outwardly from the back l S at the ends of the panel E8 are a number of partitions 3i 32, 33 and 35 which are arranged in pairs, the partitions Si and 32 forming one pair and the partitions 33 and 34 forming the other pair. Of these partitions, the partitions 3l and 343 are associated with the booth i I, while the partition 33 is associated with the booth l2 and the partition 32 with the booth It. All of these partitions are constructed of sheet metal which may be ribbed or flanged as is well known in the art to stiffen and reinforce the same. Such construction has not, however, been shown in the drawings. The heights of the various partitions 3l, 32, 33 and 34 are equal to the distances between the two guides {25 and 27. 'Ihe two partitions Si and 32 are hingedly connected together at their outer edges by means of one or more hinges 35 and the partitions 33 and 3d are correspondingly connected together .at their outer edges by means of one or more hinges' 35. The inner ends of the partitions 3! and 32 have secured to them rods 31. This is accomplished by wrapping the marginal portions of said partitions about the rods and securing the same together or by welding or otherwise. The rods 37 are of a length greater than the heights of the partitions so that the protruding ends of the same which are indicated at 39 are adapted to be received within the grooves 28 of the guideways E26 and B27. The ends 39 of these rods serve as guides for guiding the inner edges of the partitions for both sliding and rotational movement with respect to the guideways it and 27, whereby the said partitions may be moved from positions in which the pairs of partitions are parallel to one another and jut outwardly from the back it, to positions in which the said partitions of each pair lie in alignment and overlie the back It. In either of the positions the partitions are rigidly supported and the entire weight thereof transmitted to the back i@ and wall I3 through the guides 39 and the guideways l2@ and 21.

In the recess 2li of booth ii is disposed a table il which consists ci a table top i2 connected to the section 23 by means of one or more hinges et. Ihese hinges are held spaced from the section 23 by means of a ller strip [53a secured thereto and are attached to said iiller strip by means of rivets fb. This table top has pivoted to it by means of a hinge construction lili a brace t5, the other end of which has attached to it a pin i? slidably mounted in a guideway it mounted on section 23. The brace 'i5 is adapted to engage the rail i2? as shown in Fig. 4 and when in such position holds the table top i2 in horizontal operative position. When the protruding end of the table top is raised, pin il slides in the guide it and the parts may be moved into the position shown in Fig. 3 in which said table top is concealed within the recess 2li. The parts are so constructed and the recess is of such depth that the brace 5 and all of the parts of the table are completely disposed witlnn said recess, so that when the respective partitions are moved into alignment, said partitions completely cover the back i and the table ii within` the recess 2t in said back.

Attached to the partitions 3l, 33 and 3Q are settees 5i, 52, 5d etc. These settees each consist of a seat 55 and a back rest 56 attached thereto. These parts may, if desired, be constructed of metal similar to the rest of the invention or the same may be constructed in any other suitable manner. These settees are attached to the partitions and are solely supported thereby. When the settees are constructed of sheet metal Athe parts are constructed integral and if desired the same may be constructed integral with the partitions with which they are associated. In such case end pieces such as designated at 57 are employed which brace he parts forming the seat and back rest and which assist in attaching the parts to the partitions from which they are supported. Due to the rectangular shape of the seats the corners of the seats 55 diagonally opposite the hinge connections between panels are rounded as indicated at 58 to clear the adjacent seats when swinging the panels from one position to another. The slight change in dimension of the seat when moving from one position to the other may be compensated for by constructing the seats slightly shorter than required or by making the grooves in the various guides continuous so that the partitions of the entire row of booths may be bodily shifted while the position of the seats is being adjusted. It will readily be comprehended that the partitions may be moved so that the seats occupy the positions shown in Fig. 3 in which the settees all lie in alignment or continuation with one, another adjacent the supporting structure or wall and to positions such' as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and in which the partitions are arranged to form the booths as previously described.

For holding the partitions in jutting position, latching devices 553 are provided which are shown in detail in Figs. 2, 4 and 6. Each latching device consists of clips i5! which are attached to a leaf spring 52 and which are formed with beveled cam surfaces @3 and 64. These leaf springs 62 are rigidly secured at one end of each thereof to the guideway 926 by means of screws 65 and the other end of each thereof to said guideway by means of other screws 65 which pass through slots 61 in said springs. As the partitions engage the cam surfaces 53 and 64 lthe spring .62 .is elevated 'to permit these partitions to `pass .the said clips .and be received in the space 68 formed between the two clips t3 and 64. This rigidly holds the partitions from endwise movement. Similar Vlatching devices may be employed at the lowermost portion of the back i 6 for engagement with `the lowermost edges of the partitions. It can readilyibe comprehended that any type of latching device -or fastener may be used .for this purpose and that the invention `is not limited to the particular type shown. To hold the :partitions at right angles to the back it the ends of theseats 55are so formed that the same engage the sections 2l and 22 of the various panels when the partitions are in proper position and prevent swinging of the partitions. In this manner the entire structure is rigidly held in supported position. The clips `(il are so constructed that they also hold the `partitions in alignment when the same are disposed in parallel relation with respect to the back l5.

It will be noted that the settees 5I, 52, 53 and 54 etc. are constructed without legs and likewise the tables .ii. The partitions 3l, 32, 33 and 34 also fall short of the floor I Il, being preferably constructed of such a length that the same terminate substantially at the lowermost portions of the seats 55. -By means of this construction the entire area beneath the settees and tables is clear so that the floor beneath the booths may be readily cleaned.

As previously stated as many booths as desired may be employed. The end booths may be constructed like booth lil in which only one settee 52 is employed. The section 23 of the panel I1 of this booth may be made the full Width of the sections 213 or the same may be made narrower. In the drawings, a narrower section has been shown and in such case a smaller table such as indicated at 69 may be employed. This table is mounted in identically the same manner as the tables ll l.

The various parts of my invention may be constructed in a manner to embellish the same and to maire the parts thereof more ornamental. In the drawings, mirrors ll, 'l2 and 13 are provided for the various booths which are attached to the sections of the panels thereof and at approximately the locality shown. Such embellishments or any other embellishments desired may be applied to the various parts of the invention.

The method ci using the invention is as follows: When the partitions are in the positions shown in Figs. l. and 2 and the tables 4l lowered, the various booths are formed and the settees and tables are supported as previously disclosed. In such case the booths project out into the room away from the wall i3 which serves as end walls for the various booths. When it is desired to collapse the booths the tables 4l are rst raised. The latching devices ii@ previously referred to are next elevated and the partitions disengaged from the clip iii thereof. The inner ends of the partitions of the-booths may then be slid along the guideways 26 and 221i, the same taking the intermediate positions shown in Fig. 6. The upper portions of said partitions are finally engaged by the clips 6I and held in parallel relation with respect to the back it. The parts are then in such position that the booths and tables have entirely disappeared and the seats project outwardly from the walls in alignment with one another. When the booths are again desired, the procedure is just the reverse of that described.

The advantages of my invention are manifest.

The parts of the invention can be constructed at a `nominal cost and additional booths may be .readily .installed as required. By means of my invention the booths can be made to entirely `disappear and the sections arranged in alignment along the Wall, lthereby giving added floor space. By constructing the parts as shown, the settees and tables are supported independently of the floor so that the floor beneath the booths may be readily cleaned. The booths are rapidly and easily converted whenever the occasion requires.

Changes in the specific form of my invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. In combination with a substantially vertical planiform support, a plurality of partitions adapted to be arranged in alignment with one another and overlying said support, said partitions being arranged in pairs and the partitions of each pair being hingedly connected together at their meeting ends, guideways secured Ito said support, guides carried by said partitions at their other ends and engaging said guideways, said guides being rotatable and slidable within said guideways and guiding the partitions of each pair for movement from positions in substantially coplanar relation overlying said support to substantially parallel juxtaposed positions jutting from said support, and seats secured to the outer surfaces of said partitions.

2. In combination with a support disposed above a floor, two horizontally disposed guideways carried by the support, a plurality of partitions adapted to be arranged in alignment with one another and overlying said support said partitions being arranged in pairs and the partitions of each pair being hingedly connected together at their meeting ends, guides carried by said partitions at the ends thereof opposite the hinged ends and engaging said guideways, said guides being rotatable and slidable in said guideways and guiding the partitions of each pair'for movement from positions in substantially coplanar relation overlying said support to substantially parallel juxtaposed positions jutting from said support, and seats secured to the outer surfaces of said partitions, said guideways being above the floor and said partitionsand seats being free from the floor.

3. In combination with a substantially vertical planiform support, a plurality of partitions adapted to be arranged in alignment with one another and overlying said support, said partitions being arranged in pairs and the partitions of each pair being hingedly connected together at their meeting ends, guide means secured to said support, guides carried by said partitions at their other ends and engaging said guide means, said guides being rotatable and slidable relative to said guide means and guiding the partitions of each pair for movement from positions in substantially coplanar relation overlying said support to substantially parallel juxtaposed positions jutting from said support, and seats attached to said partitions, said seats having curved ends facilitating clearing abutting seats in swinging of the partitions into alignment.

4. In combination with a substantially vertical planifcrm support, a plurality of partitions adapted to be arranged in alignment with one another and overlying said support, said partitions being arranged in pairs and the partitions of each pair being hingedly connected together at their meetguides carried by said partitions at their other ends and engaging said guideways, said guides being rotatable and slidable within said guideways and guiding the partitions of each pair for movement from positions in substantially coplanar relation overlying said support to substantially parallel juxtaposed positions jutting from said support, seats secured to the outer surfaces of said partitions, folding tables normally projecting outwardly from recessed portions of said support and disposed between pairs or" said partitions when in jutting positions and supporting means acting between said support and tables for guiding said tables for movement from horizontal positions to vertical positions in said recesses clear of said partitions when the partitions are in coplanar relation.

5. In combination with a substantially vertical planiform support, a plurality of partitions adapted to be arranged in alignment with one another and overlying said support, said partitions being arranged in pairs and the partitions of each pair being hingedly connected together at their meeting ends, guideways secured to said support, guides carried by said partitions at their other ends and engaging said guideways, said guides being rotatable and slidable within said guidoways and guiding the partitions of each pair for movement from positions in substantially coplanar relation overlying said support to substantially parallel juxtaposed positions jutting from said support, said support including means projecting outwardly beyond certain portions of said support to bring the partitions in spaced relation to such portions of the support when overlying the same, folding tables normally projecting outwardly from such portions of the sup- .-ing ends, guideways secured to said support,

port and disposed between pairs of said partitions when the partitions are in jutting position, and supporting means acting between said table and support for guiding said tables for movement from horizontal positions to positions adjacent said support, said partitions overlying said tables when said tables are adjacent said support.

6. In combination with a substantially vertical support, a plurality of partitions adapted to be arranged in alignment with one another and overlying said support, said partitions being arranged in pairs and the partitions of each pair being hingedly connected together at their meeting edges, guideways secured to said support, guides carried by said partitions at their other ends and engaging said guideways, said guides being rotatable and slidable within said guideways and guiding the partitions of each pair for movement from positions in substantially coplanar relation overlying said suppcrt to substantially parallel positions jutting from said support, said support including means projecting outwardly beyond certain portions of said support to bring the partitions in spaced relation to such portions of the support when overlying the same, tables hingedly connected to said support at such portions thereof and disposed between pairs of said partitions when the partitions are in jutting position, said tables. being adapted to swing from horizontal position to positions overlying said support, said tables being disposed between said partitions and support when the partitions are in positions overlying said supports and seats secured to the outer surfaces of said partitions said seats having curved outer ends adapted to accommodate sliding of the partitions into alignment.

LEWIS W. REN'IEROW, SR. 

